Built on Trust: How Jeremy Huddleston Turned a Love of Trucks into a People-First Business

For Jeremy Huddleston, trucks were never going to be just a job. His passion for big rigs took root long before they became a business.

Growing up, Jeremy was surrounded by trucks and the kind of hard work that keeps them running. His father, an owner operator, played a formative role in shaping that interest. From an early age, Jeremy was exposed to many sides of industry, including driving, logistics, management, and repairs. His father also introduced him to people throughout trucking; individuals Jeremy would come to admire and respect. That early exposure allowed a deeper passion to take hold.

“I just really love semis,” Jeremy says. “And you can’t own a semi unless you run it. Some people love hot rods. When I see a 379 running down the road, lowered in the front end, all the chicken lights, a badass paint job, it does something to me.”

With such a strong foundation in transportation, daydreaming about running his own business didn’t last long. After graduating trade school at 18 and becoming a diesel mechanic, Jeremy spent years honing his skills before turning that dream into reality.

“There’s no better feeling than seeing one of your own trucks pass you on the interstate,” he says.

When Jeremy and his brother/business partner, Matt, joined Mercer Transportation more than a decade ago, they arrived eager to learn every angle of the operation. While Jeremy could drive and did when needed, his focus naturally gravitated toward the equipment, logistics, and the bigger picture of how a trucking business functions. Over time, that curiosity and hands-on mindset helped him grow from an independent contractor into a fleet owner with roughly 20 trucks.

In 2022, Jeremy expanded again, launching Pig-Pen Trucking LLC, an independent dump truck business separate from his Mercer operation. The move reflected the same steady, intentional growth that has defined his career.

Those who have worked alongside him say that consistency has always been there.

“I’ve known Jeremy since he started with Mercer,” says Dawn Proctor, Recruiter. “I’ve seen him build his business from day one, going from contractor to fleet owner. He’s always gone above and beyond to help his drivers.”

Dawn recalls Jeremy stepping away from personal time to handle driver issues, staying up through the night working on equipment, and reinvesting in newer trucks so long-term drivers could upgrade. As a diesel mechanic, Jeremy doesn’t just own trucks, he understands them, which helps keep equipment reliable and drivers moving.

Elizabeth Bosch, Assistant Manager of the Van Department, describes Jeremy as someone who brings calm to every situation.

“No matter what you put in his lap, he handles it,” she says. “Truck-related, driver-related, or both, he gets it done. He doesn’t pass stress down the line.”

That approach shows up even when decisions are difficult. Elizabeth shared a situation involving a driver with repeated service failures. Instead of immediately ending the relationship, Jeremy advocated for a probation period, giving the driver another chance. When the driver ultimately failed again and returned the truck in poor condition, Jeremy absorbed the cost of cleaning and downtime himself. He also paid to get the driver home and made sure he had money for food along the way.

“He’s not spiteful,” Elizabeth says. “He’ll never leave anyone stranded.”

Jeremy has said that building a fleet taught him early on that leadership isn’t about control, but about trust. With his brother and co-owner of Huddleston Trucking Inc, Matt handling much of the administrative work, Jeremy focuses on drivers and equipment while making full use of Mercer’s resources, from fuel programs to insurance and coordinator support. Drivers are given the freedom to run as they see fit, as long as the trucks are profitable and properly maintained.

Truck Coordinator Kathy Kustes sees that philosophy play out every day.

“Jeremy genuinely cares about his drivers,” she says. “He’s let drivers stay with him and his family if a truck was down. If repairs took too long, he found them work so they could still earn a paycheck. He doesn’t micromanage, but he stays involved when it matters.”

Kathy adds that Jeremy is always reachable when issues arise and stays on top of equipment to keep trucks moving. “He wants his drivers working, earning, and taken care of.”

Across Mercer departments, the message is consistent. Jeremy’s success isn’t defined by how often he’s in the driver’s seat. It’s reflected in the stability he provides, the trust he’s earned, and the pride he takes in building something that supports others.

In an industry driven by miles, Jeremy Huddleston built his career by understanding the machinery, honoring where he came from, and carrying forward the lessons that started it all.